A chat with a friend over a warm cup of something is just one of the little pleasures that has been restricted over the course of this year. Even the briefest moment of socially distanced human interaction is something we all crave and has been a lifeline for many. This piece celebrates the individuality and personalities behind some of our county’s glorious independent cafés. Naturally, the coffee matters, but the experience and making those wonderful memories are more important than ever.
The hospitality industry has been hit hard, but those who have gone above and beyond to stay open or invested heavily in becoming Covid secure, have become the pillars of our society.
I have showcased a selection but this is by no means an exhaustive list, rather more for you to share and reference in future. Local knowledge is second to none and I would be delighted for you to share your stories and experiences through my Instagram page.
If you are planning a visit to any of these establishments, do check their websites beforehand for the current opening hours, and do ensure that all social distancing guidelines are adhered to so we can keep these businesses thriving.
Banstead
Café Chai is a haven of super stylish tranquillity nestled in the heart of Banstead. Having opened at the beginning of the year, this family run business is only just getting started. It already has a loyal following from locals, and it is not difficult to see why. With many sumptuous treats and new festive additions to their menu, do not delay and book today! Café Chai is open for takeaway during lockdown and in addition, they have asked the public to nominate someone who is lonely during this difficult time so they can deliver “A cup of comfort Chai” and cake to their doorstep each Friday; bringing the community together with this wonderful act of kindness.
Caterham
East Side Deli. Mark and Julie are immensely proud to champion the best of locally sourced produce across their award-winning selection of delicatessen. Their online shop offers ample ideas for those looking to give something a little different this Christmas. However, their impeccably served fair trade coffees come highly recommended for their excellence and a visit to their Caterham store is a must for all coffee lovers. East Side Deli are open for click and collect and local deliveries during lockdown.
Chobham
Basil and Blue. Winner of the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2019 Best Cafe & Best Newcomer in Surrey, it is unsurprising that Basil and Blue is one of Chobham’s most popular coffee shops. Its warm, cosy interior invites you in for a selection of delicious treats, great coffee and great hospitality. Vonnie and her team have really grown and established their roots in the community and have many regulars. A total must visit! I am delighted that Basil and Blue are open for takeaway during lockdown.
Cranleigh
Cromwell’s Coffee House can be found in the heart of the charming village of Cranleigh. With plenty of outdoor seating on the patio adorned with flowers and Virginia creepers hugging the walls of this 16th century cottage, it is full to bursting with quintessentially English charm. It has an excellent and varied menu making it is a truly magnificent place to stop for a bite to eat. Unfortunately we have to wait a little longer before we can go back to Cronwell’s as they remain closed due to the current restrictions.
East Grinstead
The Mug Tree is an incredibly sweet family run tearoom in East Grinstead which has an inviting interior with blue and white pastel hues. They offer barista coffee and afternoon tea with a variety of edible treats. The perfect spot to have a little quiet time and watch the world go by! We might not be able to stop there right now, but The Mug Tree is still open for collection and delivery so you can enjoy some of their delights at home.
Haslemere
Hemmingway’s is a quirky and eclectic mix of old and new which harmoniously create a perfect blend of relaxation and sophistication. As both a café and a gift shop offering whimsical and unique gifts and homewares, the wonderful experience at Hemmingway’s is something that has taken the hearts of many who visit. Unfortunately Hemmingway’s is closed during lockdown but I’m excited to go back when restrictions ease.
Horsell
Deli Class Is a true celebration of Italian hospitality located on bustling Horsell high street. The shop is adorned with Italian produce; the stunning panettone display is a feast of the eyes at Christmas time. Dom and Filippa will welcome you as though you are part of the family! Deli Class is open for takeaway during lockdown, and their deli platters and food store goods can also be purchased via their online store.
Heather Farm Café sits in a privileged position within the Horsell Common Wetlands centre. With ample family friendly outside seating (some of which is covered by an awning), a safe environment for children to play and a choice of walks varying in length, be sure to incorporate a warming cup of something and a slice of cake into your next visit. Heather Farm remains Café remains open for takeaway so you can wrap your hands around a hot drink as you set off on your walk.
The Horsell Kitchen. Not only does this beautifully light and welcoming café serve you coffee from one of Guildford’s finest roasteries (Redber Coffee) but Joanna and John offer you a healthy and interesting mix of sweet and savoury plates for your pleasure. They have developed their café service to keep with the times by creating a cook at home range, takeaway platters and even a dinner party in a box should you wish. They are proud to bring their kitchen to ours. Joanna and John are still taking orders for afternoon teas / brunch boxes / grazing platters etc which can be collected by arrangement or delivered to you. They will be continuously cooking their oven-ready meals which will be advertised on social media. Look out for their supper club offers too.
Kiwi and Scot. This beautiful mobile coffee shop adorned with vintage lights and flowers really knows how to pack a punch when it comes to the good stuff! Recommended by many of my social media followers for its excellence and friendly baristas, Kiwi and Scot is a must for anyone strolling along the Basingstoke Canal. Their hot chocolates are absolutely impossible to turn down too! I’m delighted to report that this canal side “must visit” is very much open throughout lock down.
Godalming
Café Mila. For those seeking a little sanctuary from this difficult year, one of a kind Café Mila is the place for you. Combining a calming yoga studio and a beautiful airy café, they delight in helping you to feel happier and healthier and to find the right balance of exercise, nutrition and rest. Café Mila are open for takeaway and home delivery.
Waffles and Stuff is a quaint little coffee van with a huge personality. The waffles will grab the attention of any passer-by and their coffee is superb. Located in the car park near Broadwater lake, a stop here will make your outdoor adventure complete. Cherylin and Ivan are delighted to remain open during the lockdown.
Godstone
The Green Rooms of Godstone. Sylvia and Jeremy bring you a touch of fun and a hint of quirky in their gorgeous tearoom in Godstone. They offer delicious food and a warm friendly atmosphere making this a most enjoyable place to be. They are offering home delivery with a minimum delivery order if not a nominal delivery fee so you can ensure you get their delicious food and cakes bought to you! This will be available Friday 5-8pm and Saturday and Sunday 10-4.
Great Bookham
Carolina’s is stylish and independent coffee shop in Great Bookham. This family run café promises you a wonderful experience from the moment you arrive, from great service to tasty homemade treats. It is definitely one to try, enjoy and share with friends. Carolina’s are still offering sunshine in a cup for takeaway drinks, breakfasts and light lunches. Do make sure you phone your orders through before hand.
Guildford
Amor Amora. With a distinctly minimal aesthetic, this epicurean café will appeal to those who enjoy the quality of fresh, organic or locally sourced produce from artisan suppliers. You will find this hidden gem of an Art café at the top of the high street within one of Guildford’s beautiful historical buildings. You can order through the FaceTime link on their website for takeaway.
Koja is an absolute haven for coffee lovers! With beans freshly roasted just a short drive away in the Surrey Hills by Surrey Hills Coffee, it is no surprise that it tastes even better than it sounds. Wrap your hands around a warming cup and feel enlivened with their tasty offerings, a total crowd pleaser! Koja are open for takeaway as usual during lockdown.
Krema is an independent artisan coffee house located near the grounds of Guildford Castle. With speciality coffee, loose-leaf tea and great tasting food, a stop here is always a good idea before you take a relaxing stroll through the castles’ gardens. Unfortunately Krema is temporarily closed due to the lockdown.
Shere / Albury
The Dabbling Duck and The Plucky Pheasant. Mums Cathy and Christina have perfected the art of cosy café lifestyle to the point it becomes rather difficult to drag yourself away from their rustic styled eateries! Curled up on a vintage sofa with a warm cup of something and a slice of something nice makes both of these charming cafés a very popular place to be. The Dabbling Duck in the picture-perfect village of Shere offers plenty of outside seating together with a heated yurt, and The Plucky Pheasant at Newlands Corner in Albury also has ample seating under an awning with incredible views of the rolling Surrey Hills. A warm reception awaits you in both! Very sadly, both have been temporarily closed but as my regular hangouts I truly look forward to giving them my full support once again in future.
Shere delights. Set on the banks of the River Tillingbourne, Shere delights is a brilliantly fun place to stop for a coffee or sweet treat. The shelves are adorned with a bright array of colour; retro sweets, beautiful hampers, sweet treats and of course sumptuous coffee are the order of the day here. It is impossible for children and adults alike not to feel excited in this glorious little shop. Do check out their sister shop in Godalming too! The shop is currently closed due to to lockdown but sweet treats can be purchased online via their website.
St Johns
Bem coffee is a stylish café and stands as a pillar of the community within the village of St Johns. Encompassing a friendly and relaxed atmosphere together with the finest blend coffee from Brazil and El Salvador, this is an extremely pleasant place to spend your time. Bem coffee are open for takeaway during the lockdown with revised opening hours.
Two Ducks Lifestyle has an equally important standing in the community. Not only are their shelves filled with unique and carefully curated gift collections, but they offer gourmet coffee and cake with a welcoming ear. Claire and her team are so kind that a customer recently took to Instagram to thank her for notably lifting her spirits during a visiting. There is no greater feeling than making a difference to someone’s day. Two Ducks are open for online orders, takeaway and collection during lockdown.
Ripley
Nest Home and Café is an impeccably beautiful lifestyle café and shop with an incredible selection of delicate tableware and gifts. Deborah, Nest’s owner, is immensely proud of the coffee service that they offer and takes it very seriously. She only uses coffee beans imported from one of the world’s finest suppliers in Venice (which also supplies Harrods) and her staff have been trained by some of the most talented baristas in the world. The standard of the coffee is absolutely faultless here. Nest is open for takeaways so their is no need to go without your favourite coffee.
Pinnocks sits proudly on Ripley high street within an impossibly beautiful building that is as charming inside as it is out. The exposed beams and cosy corners invite you in and you will not be in a hurry to leave. With an impressive array of sweet and savoury treats together with sumptuous coffee it is the perfect place to warm up on a cold winters’ day. They also have a number of outdoor tables should you prefer.
Reigate
Cullenders is a café, bar and restaurant that offers a tasty mix of cuisine throughout the day. Their coffee is exquisite, and their sweet treats are rather moreish. Their lunch and dinner offerings are truly divine (and their espresso martinis are too hard to decline!). The interior is relaxed, chic and the perfect place to spend an hour or two. Cullenders remain open for takeaway during lockdown.
Enjoy!
Sara x
This is a Girl About recommendation. This means that it was not gifted in return for a review. We only recommend places we absolutely love, and places that we know you’ll love too!
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This was one of the first places we dined at when we first moved to Leyburn and coming from a seasid...
Set in 100 acres of stunning woodland with one of the largest collections of shrubs and trees in the...
For all you Yorkshire Gin lovers out there, this one’s for you! Brewtown Tours provides microbrew...
It’s fair to say bonding is not the first thing anyone thinks about when they’re booking their h...
Situated along Ramsgate harbour this is a great spot for lunching and brunching with friends!...
We’re always on the hunt for a quirky venue for date night. Don’t get me wrong, crazy golf is fu...
On the ground floor of a wonderful South Bank hotel and overlooking the Thames is Sea Containers. It...
Before you read this review, put your phone down and go book a table at Blacklock. There are three v...
Rutland may be England’s smallest county but it is bursting with action, fun and flavour, which is...
Kent is easily reached from London by high speed and boasts beautiful countryside and stunning coast...
Sheffield is low-key, humble with a relaxed and friendly vibe, but without a doubt exciting and infe...
Here at Girl About, we love a beach and we love our local areas, so our Blog Squad have pulled toget...
Made up of a whole host of historic towns, cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages and even the odd ham...
The Peak District is famed for its stunning scenery, fascinating history and quaint little market to...
You might be surprised to discover that Bradford is the 5th largest city in the UK. Which is why wh...
The prestigious Relais & Châteaux status was slapped on Grantley Hall in Ripon in North Yorkshire i...
Chances are, by the time we emerge from lockdown and are allowed to travel freely around the country...
There’s really no surprise that St. Albans is frequently cited as one of the best places to live i...
Horses for courses, but I'm not one for booking with travel agents and tour operators. I've pretty m...
There’s no better place to start my Travel Truths Series than with the star rating system used by ...
Liverpool is a vibrant and fun European destination and a brilliant place to spend time in. This sco...
There are the ‘usual’ places to visit when you’re in London. The tourist traps, the things to ...
Book a stay at one of these glamorous glamping sites and you’ll experience all the wellbeing benef...
Say hello to Veganuary! Here are ten amazing vegan places to eat across Yorkshire! Whether you’re ...
When three of my absolute favourite things in life are rolled together into one glorious experience ...
Bolton Abbey itself is a wonderful 12th-century Augustinian monastery which sits beside the River Wh...
There’s something to be said for the simple things in life – family, friends, sleeping under can...
Why I loved The Kitchen at Manor House at Lindley in Huddersfield A really decadent ‘ladies wot l...
Grays Court in York is perfect for romantic, special occasion dining – leave your gaggle of girlfr...
We loved that we could see our city through new eyes and had a chance to explore places old and new ...
A truly unique “day date” experience that we’ll remember for a long time. It was very well org...
Because Kelham Island Food Tour showcases Sheffield at its best. It captures the city’s love of fo...
Thursday night a couple of weeks ago and my Dad was in town. My step-mum had gone to an ABBA event a...
I am a pub girl through and through and a glutton for a good, hearty menu. Forever hunting out new ...
Go for the exceptional barista coffee and impressive tea menu, delectable home-made cakes or brunch/...
The saying goes ‘Life isn’t perfect, but your hair can be,’ and being a busy mother with a mil...
And it wasn’t just any old shoe, it was a bespoke, hand-made kitten heel she had decoupaged using ...
A passionate family run business that serves up the tastiest tiramisu I’ve ever had. Throw in the ...
West Midlands Safari Park is a great day out for any age. There is a huge range of things to see an...
The Peacock at Rowsley offers fine dining done properly. The historic building houses an elegant, re...
Thyme Café is the perfect balance between eating in a nice establishment, without feeling awkward f...
I love the fact that it’s a smokehouse first, restaurant second. The smokehouse has been around fo...
Husband and Wife ran, LA-Pop is situated in the up and coming Edgbaston village. Upon walking throug...
I’ve pitched up our tent and camped at Catgill Farm campsite just a stone’s throw from Bolton Ab...
I signed up to become a StrongHER ‘Warrior’ for four weeks. After the second week, I signed up f...
Nestled in the heart of gorgeous Dedham (also known as ‘Constable Country’ after the work of the...
Exploring the different heat and ice experiences with various aromas and a calming atmosphere worked...
The real ‘behind-the-scenes’ of small-batch gin production, whilst sampling (lots of) very nice ...
It’s a fun-filled day out for the whole family. There are stacks of outdoor play areas, which the ...
I love a spa. I love everything about it: the unashamed decadence of spending time doing very little...
Hidden in the heart of the East Village, part of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and just a stones ...
I decided on Billy Bob’s Diner in Skipton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales as the venue for Fern...
We’ve been coming to the Tickled Trout fairly regularly ever since moving to Chesterfield three ye...
If having to care for a tiny baby with no prior knowledge and no handbook for the first time wasn’...
As I sat on the sprawling lawn, my one-year-old daughter squealing with delight as she rolled down t...
The last few weeks in London have been GLORIOUS sunshine. Even me, the most unlikely woman to ever g...
We had such high expectations of The Deep. So many people have given us glowing reviews, I did wonde...
Daisy at Camp Katur in North Yorkshire reeled off the list of accommodation options to me over the p...
The vibe, the diversity, the enthusiasm of the owners and of course, the food. It helps that the own...
Found yourself with an hour or two to wile away? Head to Dice & A Slice in Colchester – home to a ...
Elegant dining with flavour combinations you will not have eaten elsewhere. Stunning attention to d...
The last few weeks in London has been GLORIOUS sunshine. Even me, the most unlikely woman to ever ge...
Soak up the seaside atmosphere at one of Yorkshire’s outdoor pools, reservoirs, freshwater beaches...
I chose the captivating little country of Sri Lanka as the destination where would celebrate our 10t...
A weekend at Casa Turnilla Yoga Retreat in the picture-perfect Spanish town of Estepona on the Costa...
It’s an afternoon treat that’s smack bang on my doorstep. Being able to walk to such a lovely pl...
I don’t think it’s too dramatic to declare that coffee flows in my veins. Okay, maybe it’s a b...
Why I Love The Mount Royale Hotel. The Mount Royale Hotel is just a stone’s throw from York city c...
I love that the Manor House in Lindley is near enough for a quick overnight getaway but that as you ...
A floral archway leading to shabby chic décor. Wooden floors and lots of fake foliage and street ar...
I’ve been coming to Darleys for well over a decade and have NEVER had so much as a disappointing c...
Being somewhat incompetent with maps myself, what appeals to me most about this big, circular walk i...
With the school holiday’s approaching, we have rounded up our top ten favourite child-friendly wal...
When you think of Manchester you don’t tend to associate it with botanical gardens. It’s always ...
What I like best about Odyssey Greek restaurant is that it genuinely feels like you’re holiday! No...
I love it because I may be a grown-up but I felt like I could be a big kid in there, but with a cock...
For its size, Chesterfield is surprisingly well served by independent cafés and eateries, but Bottl...
When my friend asked me and my family to come along to one of the GRUB food fairs at Fairfield Socia...
If you live in Halifax you’ve probably driven past Wainhouse Tower and not realised that for a few...
An atmospheric, if slightly bachelor pad-style interior, a huge selection of steaks, attentive waiti...
It starts in the much loved Endcliffe Park, so a great meeting point if doing the walk with others. ...
The Devonshire Arms at picture-perfect Bolton Abbey on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales is one of Yor...
I love that The Devonshire Arms Inn is only a 30-minute drive from Sheffield, yet we felt like we we...
Why I love it: Since becoming dog owners we’ve tried to find places that keep children and four-le...
Why I love it: Well, firstly Fountains Abbey a UNESCO World Heritage Site so expect to be totally in...
My eyes darted back and forth as I stood on the edge of the most easterly point in North America. Sc...
Public transport and I haven’t always been best friends. Catching the “571” bus service to Bri...
That click-click of knitting needles was a familiar sound to me growing up. My mum’s a knitter. Sh...
Ye Olde Bell must have been listening to my prayers because it felt like I had literally won the gol...
My love for making things started when I was about 9 years old and friendship bracelets were a big t...
Ecclesall Road has been my stomping ground for over a decade, and although my years of whittling mos...
Afternoon Tea. It’s an iconic British tradition dating back to 1840. Anna Maria Russell, the seven...
It’s one of the places I recall people mentioning when I was a child. We holidayed every year on t...
TRAVELLING TO THE EDGE OF THE WILD NORTH ATLANTIC. There is an energy about this place that is indes...
With February half-term here, we’ve sought out the best child-friendly ice skating rinks across Yo...
Nestled in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, a mere 15 mins from my front door, is a hidden gem ...
The Fox pub in Ilkley is my local. I can practically see it from my front door, but, I’ll be hones...
Tuesday is apparently the most depressing day of the week. The previous weekend feels like it never ...
We are, happily, very spoilt for choice when it comes to food in Leeds. The recent trend for street ...
Since I met Matt back in 2009 he’s been desperate to get me to go to Temujin up in Sowerby Bridge....
I peeled my teenager off my limb and avoided answering my husband’s concerns of who is doing the 3...
I visited the brand new Ivy cafe in the centre of Leeds last Tuesday – briefly and blissfully todd...
Celebrating 10 years of marriage at The Gilpin Lake House in Windermere Mr T and I loll lazily on t...
Diagnosed by the doctor as “too fat to fly”, my husband and daughter jetted off for a week with ...
Tucked away in the Grand Arcade of Leeds city centre there’s basically a time machine masquerading...
I’ve learnt two things today… 1) To always ensure that I have play-doh in my bag whenever I take...
It’s perfect for lunch with or without little ones, or worth a sitter if combining with a cinema d...
When my stepdad announced that he’d hired a barge for the entire family to celebrate my mum’s bi...
Now THIS is a great gift for the man in your life. If you want to be flavour of the month this Sund...
I needed some proper R&R. My aching body was crying out for a long luxurious massage. My mental hea...
It would certainly be swallowed up in London – hidden in the shadows of Le Gavroche, Alain Duccass...
Helmsley is the Knightsbridge of Yorkshire Market towns, not least because it’s home to two of Yor...
When the female bartender at an elegant country boutique hotel in a picture-perfect North Yorkshire ...
If you like to hike, then you’re in the right place. There are a plethora of walks for all, whethe...
A proper posh Yorkshire Dales treat in a setting straight out of Mary Poppins High Tea comes with a...
I swore last May when I returned from our first family camping trip in Keswick in the Lake District ...
Two weeks ago I purchased the final plane ticket of three so that Mr T could join me on a work trip ...
Celebrating 10 years of marriage at The Gilpin Lake House in Windermere Mr T and I loll lazily on th...
I still get the occasional wobble of uncertainty – was it the right move? Should we have stayed in...
The quaint cobbled Dickensian streets of The Old Town with alleyways, yards and passages by all sort...
We couldn’t contain ourselves as we laughed hysterically at probably the most fitting of all the r...
A trip to the North Pole on The Train To Christmas Town There’s a lot of really rubbish Santas ar...
The Chevin Forest in Otley is just moments from our house in Menston, West Yorkshire and is one of t...
My girlfriends and I thought nothing of throwing sixty quid each at several bottles of Veuve on a Th...
Now imagine being strapped to that chair, on the coldest, wettest August day on record, whilst not o...
I’ll be honest, when I was invited to spend a night in a hotel in Newcastle – this was not what ...
Aside from the horrific journey from Leeds to Cornwall (and worse still, the return journey which th...
You’d be forgiven for thinking you were rocking up at a sushi bar with a name like a Wapentake; th...
You can’t miss the Victoria Hotel; it’s perched proudly on the cliff tops of Robin Hood’s Bay ...
And the Cow & Calf – Ilkley, West Yorkshire. When I’m feeling blue, all I have to do is take a l...
Well short of John Travolta and Olivia Newton John making an appearance, the owners of Billy Bob’s...